If you are new to the forums, you must register a free account before you can post. The forums have a separate registration from the rest of www.chronofhorse.com, so your log in information for one will not automatically work for the other. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Chronicle of the Horse.

Talk to me about Fort Collins...

...and vicinity.

It became official today that we will be moving from Southern Colorado to Northern Colorado come summer. The Fort Collins area, to be specific. I've looked a little bit, but I regret not actually paying attention to the decent trainers/barns/programs outside of my immediate area. Dressage programs, too.

Thanks in advance!

"IT'S NOT THE MOUNTAIN WE CONQUER, BUT OURSELVES." SIR EDMUND HILLARYMember of the "Someone Special To Me Serves In The Military" Clique

I went to college at CSU back in 2004 & I only kept my horses up there about half of the year. The only trainer that I liked up that way for the hunter/jumpers was Mark Mead & he is out of Longmont.
As far as barns there really wasn't much up there & I only hope that has changed. When I was up there I kept my horses at Poudre River Equestrian Center which was off the Ault exit (I don't even know if they are still around). I wasn't really impressed but I think the area is a lot better for Dressage from what I understand.
Best of Luck!!!!

PREC is now Fort Collins Equestrian Center and is for sale again. It's been a long time since I toured the place, but I was never impressed with the quality of the hay when I did. It may have changed hands since I've been there last, though...it seems to every couple of years.

A good friend of mine had her horse at Savanna Ridge and was pretty happy there--with the facility and with the instruction. They are H/J oriented.

For dressage instruction, I'd recommend Wendy Lanham in Wellington, just a bit north of Fort Collins. Shoot me a PM if you would like her contact information. She also boards horses--has a very nice facility and is very conscientious about care.

There are also a variety of boarding barns minus an indoor arena, if you're looking for that.

I'd advise a little bit of caution re: Mark Mead. I saw some things in his barn that were a bit ... hair raising. I would not put a horse with him, personally. If you're interested in him, spend some time in his barn (as you would with anyone!)

Facilities in Fort Collins are surprisingly lacking considering the presence of the equine-oriented school. Expect to make compromises. Perhaps a lot of them. Same with farriers. We do have some very talented vets, although I wouldn't recommend CSU. Let me know if you'd like my list

PREC is now Fort Collins Equestrian Center and is for sale again. It's been a long time since I toured the place, but I was never impressed with the quality of the hay when I did. It may have changed hands since I've been there last, though...it seems to every couple of years.

A good friend of mine had her horse at Savanna Ridge and was pretty happy there--with the facility and with the instruction. They are H/J oriented.

For dressage instruction, I'd recommend Wendy Lanham in Wellington, just a bit north of Fort Collins. Shoot me a PM if you would like her contact information. She also boards horses--has a very nice facility and is very conscientious about care.

There are also a variety of boarding barns minus an indoor arena, if you're looking for that.

I'd advise a little bit of caution re: Mark Mead. I saw some things in his barn that were a bit ... hair raising. I would not put a horse with him, personally. If you're interested in him, spend some time in his barn (as you would with anyone!)

Facilities in Fort Collins are surprisingly lacking considering the presence of the equine-oriented school. Expect to make compromises. Perhaps a lot of them. Same with farriers. We do have some very talented vets, although I wouldn't recommend CSU. Let me know if you'd like my list

I lived there for 6 years back in the late 70's early 80's. The best instructor in the area at that time (Ft. Collins itself) was Lindy Weatherford. She produced a bunch of medal winning students and took her mare, Pin-up Girl, quite far at that time..up to Prix St. George, I think. She was/is a very good instructor. I think she is still in the area, but I don't know her status these days.

I lease and ride in loveland at the lazy j bar s. They have multiple trainers at the facility including my trainer who does hunter jumper, a dressage trainer, a western dressage guy, a paint/qh guy who does it all, a saddleseat trainer etc....Its about a 30 minute drive but worth it for the facility. http://www.jbars.com

I looked at Stonegate's website and there are two names there that I will run fast from. No wonder they have "mixed reviews," and a warning to stay away! Too bad as it looks like a decent facility.

Simkie, I'll get in touch with you by April (I know, a long way off, but I have my schooling, a house to list and keep show shape, and, most importantly, a young child to make sure stays same during this all. Especially since the husband will be in South Africa until mid-March).

My mare is retired, WAY too fat and happy with my in-laws in Texas, so I won't be moving any equine companions. Until a future date, I'll be looking for schoolies (to keep me going), then perhaps a lease. My son is very much on again-off again with riding. He doesn't like riding in winter because it interferes with hockey (and I think he doesn't want to admit he gets cold...comical considering he is a hockey player!), but I know he'll want lessons, too. So someone who appreciated kids would be nice.

Im not demanding, am I?

Seriously, I really do appreciate it! All of you!

Last edited by Kenike; Jan. 25, 2013 at 03:14 PM.
Reason: A moment of grammatical stupidity

"IT'S NOT THE MOUNTAIN WE CONQUER, BUT OURSELVES." SIR EDMUND HILLARYMember of the "Someone Special To Me Serves In The Military" Clique

I looked at Stonegate's website and there are two names there that I will run fast from. No wonder they have "mixed reviews," and a warning to stay away! Too bad as it looks like a decent facility.

Simkie, I'll get in touch with you by April (I know, a long way off, but I have my schooling, a house to list and keep show shape, and, most importantly, a young child to make sure stays same during this all. Especially since the husband will be in South Africa until mid-March).

My mare is retired, WAY too fat and happy with my in-laws in Texas, so I won't be moving any equine companions. Until a future date, I'll be looking for schoolies (to keep me going), then perhaps a lease. My son is very much on again-off again with riding. He doesn't like riding in winter because it interferes with hockey (and I think he doesn't want to admit he gets cold...comical considering he is a hockey player!), but I know he'll want lessons, too. So someone who appreciated kids would be nice.

Im not demanding, am I?

Seriously, I really do appreciate it! All of you!

Stonegate is a nice facility. Too bad its owned by a wacky owner who creates chaos for everyone. Everything is honest but the deal

OMGosh I rode at Lazy J Bar S when I was a teenager! Fabulous facility, SO much to offer - admittedly their barn colors are rather ugly (yellow and brown - really??)

but the facility is very nice, they have something for everyone, and many trainers/instructors. I have nothing but wonderful memories of the place - except for one incident with one crazy horse that I absolutely was in love with, but that's another story for another time and has nothing to do with either the instructors or the facility itself.

I lease and ride in loveland at the lazy j bar s. They have multiple trainers at the facility including my trainer who does hunter jumper, a dressage trainer, a western dressage guy, a paint/qh guy who does it all, a saddleseat trainer etc....Its about a 30 minute drive but worth it for the facility. http://www.jbars.com

kmwines01 - are Kris Bayes and Jennifer still there? I can't remember Jennifer's last name, I'll have to check with my mom tomorrow to see if she remembers - it was about 10 or 12 years ago, but I would love to get in touch with both of them, they were both very instrumental in my horse career and the decision with which direction to take with my life!!

Yes, Kris is still there. I don't know too many of the other trainers very well as I'm not out there all that much right now with school. It's under new-ish management (within the last couple of years i believe). They've recently made some improvements to the footing in the outside ring and it's been really nice.

I love the heated barn and indoor! So nice to walk in from the frigid outside and ride in a long sleeve t-shirt! Everybody is very friendly out there and it usually isn't too crazy in the indoor, lol...

Not much for the Hunter/Jumper scene in the Fort. I trained with Mark Mead on and off when I lived in Fort Collins. Just depended if I wanted to drive 40-50 mins there just to see my horses. I loved him. Never saw anything sketchy go down while I was there. My horses were always very happy there.

I personally love Legacy Stables for keeping my horses. I actually have one there right now. The BO are amazing and take great care of the horses. Its not one of your fancy barns and no real h/j trainer, but I loved it! I trained out of there for a little while. My jumps are still there.

I did board with Wendy in Wellington for awhile and loved it! She is dressage and I tagged along when my friend moved there to get some training. The facilites are great and she was a great BO. My horses loved it there as well. I only left to go back to Mark's as I was graduating from college and wanted to do some showing.

I love cats, I love every single cat....
So anyway I am a cat lover And I love to run.

I personally love Legacy Stables for keeping my horses. I actually have one there right now. The BO are amazing and take great care of the horses. Its not one of your fancy barns and no real h/j trainer, but I loved it! I trained out of there for a little while. My jumps are still there.

Has this place changed hands in the last...oh, ten years or so? I think the website looks the same...

I had a terrifying conversation with the barn owner, several years ago now. She was very, very proud of the fact that she had her own vet come out to treat a boarders horse, without the boarders permission or knowledge, after the boarder had had her own vet out and considered the issue addressed. I was totally stunned. So totally not a place I would be comfortable keeping a horse...I would be way too afraid of what was happening behind my back.

Nope same owners. I love her. She is for the horse well being. And no nothing ever happened behind my back or any other boarders back, but I wouldn't doubt that she would of done that if she felt it was necessary. Its in the contract that if they can't reach you then they can spend x amount of money in an emergency. I sure it was a legitimate reason for doing so. I know there are stories out there, but seriously love the place and trust my horses care to them without a doubt.

I love cats, I love every single cat....
So anyway I am a cat lover And I love to run.

Something certainly did happen behind a boarders back--the barn owner was very proud of it and was happy to tell me all about it when I came out to look at the place. She shouldered the payment, AFAIK, and never told the owner of the horse. It wasn't a "owner is unreachable and the horse is critical" issue. It was purely that she didn't think the owner's vet did a good job.

I was quite literally stunned that she would tell a prospective boarder that story, but it did make it quite clear that the barn was not a place for me

Something certainly did happen behind a boarders back--the barn owner was very proud of it and was happy to tell me all about it when I came out to look at the place. She shouldered the payment, AFAIK, and never told the owner of the horse. It wasn't a "owner is unreachable and the horse is critical" issue. It was purely that she didn't think the owner's vet did a good job.

I was quite literally stunned that she would tell a prospective boarder that story, but it did make it quite clear that the barn was not a place for me

I'm glad you're happy there

Well at least she was upfront and honest about it to you. Yea, always had great experiences and spent lots of time out there and nothing like that went down when I was there. I can assure you of that.

But I love the BO, sure she is quirky, but I love her and her husband. They take great care of the horses and were like family to me when I still lived in CO. I know my mare is receiving great care there. I know its not for everyone, but there are things I dislike about most of the barns in the area and never found one that I liked better.

That being said I moved away from CO in 2008, so other barns in the area may of changed.

I love cats, I love every single cat....
So anyway I am a cat lover And I love to run.